Inca, Aztec, Maya Civilizations and Spanish Conquest
Inca Civilization
The Inca civilization, known as Callasuyo in Chile, was centrally located in Cuzco. They considered themselves part of a new humanity, descendants of the sun.
Peaceful Methods and Administration
The Incas preferred peaceful methods and established indirect governance. They constructed the Inca Trail, which included agricultural centers, dairy farms (settlements), and Pucarás.
Quechua was imposed as the common language. They had a complex administration system using quipu.
Religion and Social Structure
The Inca religion was polytheistic, and they consulted oracles and performed sacrifices. The gold sun symbol was significant.
Mitimaes were functional settlers who integrated customs and traditions in conquered villages.
Agriculture and Labor Systems
They cultivated in terraces, known as Camellones (Warui Warui).
Mitas: This system favored the empire, requiring adult men between 18 and 50 to work in shifts.
Mink: This was communal, free labor.
End of the Inca Empire
The Inca Empire ended around 1543 with the conflict between Zhuascar and Atahualpa.
Aztec Civilization
The Aztecs were located in Texcoco. Their society was highly segmented into classes and castes:
- Pilli (Nobles): Leadership, warriors, traders, and merchants.
- Macehuales (Common People): Peasants and craftsmen.
- Esclavos (Slaves): Tlatlacotin.
The governor was known as the Tlatoani.
Economy
The Aztec economy was sustained by corn cultivation using chinampas, logging, and Roce.
They had a territorial system of Mondain.
Maya Civilization
The Maya civilization was located in the forest, predating the Aztecs.
Social Organization
Their social organization was hierarchical, marked by kinship. Dynasties were formed.
The highest authority was the Halachi Uinic, who controlled everything absolutely, with representatives in the council called Batab.
Economy and Culture
Their economy was based on corn. They had active exchange trading and a warrior culture.
They developed ideographic writing and a complex, accurate calendar system with numerical notation.
Decline
The decline of the Maya civilization started in Asia around 800 AD.
Spanish Conquest of America
The Spanish conquest of America occurred after significant scientific advances during the Middle Ages, particularly after 1492.
European Perspective
The European perspective was based on reason and anthropocentrism.
Spain and Portugal led maritime expeditions.
Portuguese Expeditions
Portugal started expeditions in the early 15th century:
- 1419: Madeira Islands
- 1435: Azores
- 1446: Cape Verde Islands
- 1452: Gulf of Guinea
- 1487: Cabo Buena Esperanza
- 1498: Vasco da Gama reached India
Spanish Expeditions
Spain focused on expeditions into the Atlantic.
First Voyage: The Discovery (1492-1493)
From August 3, 1492, to March 4, 1493, Columbus sailed west, crossed the Atlantic, and reached Cipango (Japan). The expedition was economically unsuccessful. Upon his return, a storm forced them to Lisbon, where he wrote his famous Letter from Escribe Discovery.
Second Voyage: Surely Objective (1493-1496)
From September 25, 1493, to June 8, 1496, the objective was to find a shorter route to the Indies and found the first city. However, Columbus was censured for his actions. He discovered Guadeloupe, Montserrat, and San Juan Bautista (now Puerto Rico). His crew mutinied, and the indigenous people wanted the Spanish to die in Spain because they did not bring the expected gold.
Third Voyage: Admiral Dishonor (1498-1500)
From May 30, 1498, to November 1500, Columbus explored and discovered the mouth of the Orinoco, Margarita, Coche, and Cubagua. Due to a rebellion against the Spanish, he was deported and returned to Spain stripped of his honors.
Fourth Voyage: A New Failure (1502-1504)
From May 11, 1502, to November 7, 1504, Columbus tried to find a passage between the Pacific and the Atlantic. He faced indigenous resistance, bad weather, and betrayal in riots. He lost his four ships and was stranded in Jamaica. Sick and distraught, he returned.
The NO SANTA FE agreement granted Columbus the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea, 10% of the profits, and the right to take possession of new territories in the name of the kings.
Occupancy of American Territory
Phocus: Specific areas initiated for conquest.
- Caribbean, Antilles, Panama coast (1493-1520)
- Central and South America (1520-1534): Particular charges, no state determinant.
- Inland regions (1534-1555)
Mexico
Hernan Cortes left Cuba in 1919, reaching Honeycomb on August 13, 1520.
Peru
The conquest of Peru occurred from Panama between 1531 and 1535.